Dragons moving on up

Catalans Dragons have lifted themselves two places up the Super League table after recording a 30-18 victory over the Celtic Crusaders at Brewery Field.

Respectively bottom and second-bottom coming into the match, the Welsh side conceded six tries in all and were comprehensively outperformed by their French opponents during the first half.

Even so, a spirited comeback in the second period saw the Crusaders come to within a converted try of taking the lead before the Dragons put their foot down once again during the closing stages.

The home side went ahead within five minutes after an error from the visitors' Cyril Stacul in front of his own posts setting up the Crusaders - Josh Hannay crossing in the left-hand corner and also converting.

Missing Casey McGuire after a late fitness test, the Dragons nevertheless silenced the home crowd by levelling from the kick-off as Greg Bird touched down, with Thomas Bosc kicking the extras.

Les Catalans sought to take control against the newcomers and a period of pressure ended in the 14th minute with Bosc chipping through to the advancing Clint Greenshields, who touched down. However, replays showed that the Australian knocked on when crossing the line.

The pressure continued to be applied, however, and with the Dragons deceiving the home defence with a dummy runner, Olivier Elima angled through for their second try in the 19th minute with Bosc converting once more.

Disarray

The Crusaders' defence appeared in disarray when their opponents added their third just moments later - Cyril Gossard managing to release the ball on the last play, despite being subject to three tackles, before Adam Mogg beat Hannay to the loose ball.

Bosc missed the conversion but with the traffic now one-way it didn't seem to matter, the Dragons even appearing to lose a little concentration when, on his 100th appearance, Jerome Guisset fumbled the ball with the line beckoning.

The half-hour saw the Crusaders in the opposing half for the first time since the opening 10 minutes and they very nearly made it pay. However, fighting to touch down, David Tangata-Toa could not ground the ball.

The home side continued to press but were found wanting when playing the ball and, resuming their forays into Crusaders territory, Les Catalans immediately showed them how to do it as a weaving run from Gossard released Josh Perry through the centre to touch down.

Faced with a 22-6 half-time deficit, the Crusaders needed to put points on the board and did so in the opening minute when, taking advantage of two penalties, Jason Chan ploughed through in the right-hand corner with Hannay converting.

The Crusaders should then really have scored their third but a move which produced plenty of quick passing from the home side came to nought when Hannay's final inside pass to Anthony Blackwood failed to find its target.

Comeback bid

Play was then halted for several minutes while Julien Touxagas was treated following a nasty-looking collision - the second row being taken to hospital as a precaution - but upon resumption the Crusaders continued their comeback bid when a fine kick on the final play from captain Jace Van Dijk ended with Jordan James touching down.

Hannay converted and the home side were now just a converted try away from the lead. They thought they had it when Mark Bryant went under the posts just short of the hour but he failed to ground the ball.

However, with Matty Smith joining Touxagas in hospital with an apparent dislocated elbow, momentum promptly swung back in the direction of Les Catalans and both Steven Bell and Stacul went over in the final 10 minutes - Bosc albeit missing both conversions.